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Cincinnati City Council has long worked to include non-profit agencies that help the sick, homeless and out of work in the operating budget.

But with a looming $27.5 million budget shortfall this year through June 30 due to impacts from the new coronavirus, City Manager Patrick Duhaney Monday night issued a memo to council members in which he recommended they cut those human service agencies by 25%.

It comes just as the people who rely on those agencies need help the most.

Ohio's stay-at-home order has put nearly 700,000 Ohioans out of work, resulting in a statewide total approaching 1 million people who are jobless.

In all, the list impacts 79 agencies that help the poor, bolster the economy or support city entities like community councils and business districts. The potential savings if council makes the cuts: $3.1 million

Additionally, Duhaney is asking council to cut city support to the African American Chamber of Commerce by 25 percent. The agency was likely separated out because it presents a conflict of interest for Councilwoman Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, who is married to Eric Kearney, the chamber's director.

Council will take up the ideas Wednesday when it meets to discuss the budget and hold a regular council meeting, where they could make the cuts immediate.

Typically cuts to human service agencies draw hundreds of people impacted by changes. But now, in the midst of working to halt the spread of COVID-19, Mayor John Cranley has ordered City Hall closed to the public.

[ All of The Enquirer's coverage of the new coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Enquirer at cincinnati.com/subscribe ]

Gina Marsh, executive director of the Hamilton County Human Services Chamber, is in the midst of querying agencies about what they need but has already found most have increased demand for services and not enough cash flow.

"It’s a hard situation," Marsh said. "They do not have the cash flow built into their budget to meet the increased demand. This is especially true for those providing food, housing and other necessities."

The federal government will need to step in and help, Marsh said.

"The federal government needs to provide direct assistant to these nonprofits, which are on the front lines of economic downfall we are experiencing," Marsh said. "Every dollar counts, no matter where it comes from."

Duhaney's recommendations are just that – recommendations. But one sure thing is that council must find savings to balance the budget. So it could make the recommended across-the-board cuts like the city manager is suggesting – or council could cut some agencies by a larger percent to protect the agencies that need the money the most.

For instance, a 25% cut to city assistance to the FreeStore Foodbank represents $56,250 of the $225,000 it gets from the city. But it comes off the heels of the Mayor John Cranley telling the public Monday the food bank is such dire need, it has just three weeks of food on hand.

Also on the list, Bethany House, Caracole and the City Gospel Mission, among others, who provide housing for the homeless. The United Way, Legal Aid and the eviction prevention program -- all areas where there is greater than ever need right now -- are also among the recommended cuts.

The list also includes economic development initiatives including The Port, Regional Economic Development Inc., Centrifuse and CincyTech, which council prioritized in past years to make sure Cincinnati is a city of the future.

"It's yet another reminder of the incredible challenges facing Cincinnatians during this unprecedented time," Councilman Chris Seelbach said. "Council will take its time, listen to our citizens, make changes to these recommendations and find a way to balance out budget like we do each and every year."